Childhood Development

Kindergarten Prep: Spending Time With FriendsFriendship is an important part of kindergarten success. Young children need to feel accepted by their peers and have the skills to play cooperatively, productively, and positively with others. What ...

It's dinner time and everyone in your family is nose-down, glued to their phones and mobile devices, rather than making good ol'-fashioned eye contact. Sound familiar? Setting limits on screen time — and remembering to put down our own devices ...

Should cell phones be allowed in school? A 2010 Pew Research Center study found that 65 percent of cell-owning teens bring their phones to school despite any bans that may be in place. Most schools now allow students to have cell phones but requi...

Raise your hand if your child thinks your phone is just another one of her toys. We all know the feeling! Smartphones can be a great source for educational entertainment for children, but let's face it — curious kids have the uncanny ability to...

At what age should you get your child a cell phone? According to PewResearch Center, the average age is between 12 and 13, but when to get your child a cell phone is a personal decision, and can vary from kid to kid based on maturity and need. Be...

Learning that your child is transgender can bring on a range of emotions — from confusion and grief to anger and fear — and will likely leave you with many questions. Will your child be safe? How will this change the dynamic of your family? M...

A 14-year-old wonders if his penis is too small for his age, and if he's developing too slowly. Our expert answers his questions. ...

Spotlight: Creativity! Study Finds ADHD Kids Are More Creative It's a belief many parents of kids with ADHD have long held — kids with ADHD are more creative than their non-ADHD counterparts. New research shows that what was perhaps once consi...

It goes without saying that smartphones and apps have become an integral part of our everyday lives. But what about our children's lives? At what age is it okay to let your kids start using smartphones? Which apps are safe and which are not? We...

Why is your child struggling in school? In her book "That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Succeed in School and Life," author Ana Homayoun identifies eight styles of disorganization and distraction that ...

Are you preparing your child to be independent? Teaching your child life skills is not only important for self-care and sufficiency— it also allows him to feel empowered, works on socialization and reasoning, and helps develop healthy self-este...

5 Essential Tools and Tips for Disorganized Boys We recently spoke with Ana Homayoun, the author of the book That Crumpled Paper Was Due Last Week: Helping Disorganized and Distracted Boys Succeed in School and Life. She holds a master's degree i...

In a world filled with commercialized toys and violent video games, providing your children with toys that encourage imaginative play can help you preserve their innocence and help develop their creativity. This holiday season, look for creative ...

Top 10 Parenting Tips Show them you love them -- Fathers in particular can find it difficult to cuddle and kiss their children. However, children need physical comfort from both parents. Let the children see you cuddle each other, too. Maintain...

What should kids call their private parts? How do I explain where babies come from? Should I give my child a heads up about puberty? When should we have the "big talk"? These are just a few of the many questions you might have about talking with ...

When your child has special needs, you want to do everything you can to help him learn and grow. The good news is, learning time can be play time, too. Whether your child is physically or learning disabled, or you would just like to work on his d...

Learning to Negotiate On a daily basis, your child will encounter situations in which her own wishes and needs clash with those of other people. Learning how to handle these situations is a critical life skill that children need to start practic...

A Bill of Rights for Kids One of the reasons children often fail to stick up for themselves is simply because they're not clear about what they are entitled to expect from other people. It is worth helping school-age children compose a personal ...